ISLAMABAD: Tobacco growers have called on multinational cigarette manufacturing companies to compensate them as per the rate set for the tobacco procured from them.

In a statement, Ittehad Kashtkaran Vice ChairmanIqbal Shewa said despite repeated requests, the multinational companies were not giving any monetary compensation to the growers on the procurement rate.

He said a protest was also held in the capital a few days ago against the tobacco firms.

“When the season began, tobacco growers provided crops to the companies at a rate of Rs425 but later it surged to Rs1,400,” Mr Shewa said.

He said growers were on the verge of facing Rs15 to 20 million losses because of non-compensation by the companies, adding that theyheld several meetings with representatives of these companies but to no avail.

“Growers would not be able to earn a penny if the companies did not compensate us,” he added.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2023